CAIRO: An Egyptian court has sentenced a police officer to death in absentia for the murder of protesters during the January/February demonstrations that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Monem, however, would be able to appeal the case and provide evidence in his defense, if he is found. The sentence comes a week after a group of men, including a 17-year-old, were sentenced to death over the kidnapping and rape of a woman. Many observers believe the continued crackdown on officials from the former regime is part of the military-run government's efforts to appease protesters. On Tuesday, the former president and his two sons were reportedly headed to court over corruption and the killing of protesters, in what activists hope will give more closure to the previous regime and its more than 30 years in power. “I sincerely hope that Mubarak and his sons get what they deserve. Egypt demands justice,” said recent Cairo University graduate Ahmed Radwan, who participated in the January uprising. However, Radwan said that the police officer's ruling is part of the plan to ensure they won't sentence Mubarak and his sons to similar penalties. “We are likely to see them get lighter sentences because there is a lot of fear surrounding their cases,” he added. Mubarak will stand trial for his alleged role in the deaths of protesters during the uprising that drove him from power. In a statement on the prosecutor's Facebook page, the prosecutor also said Mubarak's sons Alaa and Gamal will be formally charged with corruption and mismanagement for using their positions to gain wealth and luxurious homes in Sharm El-Sheikh. Other charges against Mubarak and his sons include abuse of power and wasting public funds. The move to begin prosecution hearings comes after activists took to the streets in response to reports that suggested the former president was trying to work out an amnesty deal with the country's military junta. Already, former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, who had long been the center of activists' hatred of the former government, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges. He will again stand trial for the killing of citizens. A number of Egyptians have called for Adly to receive the death penalty for the murder of civilians. The news that Mubarak will stand trial comes only three days before a planned “Second Revolution” to take place on Friday, May 27. Some within the protest movement say they are concerned that justice will not be served and are frustrated by what they see as elements of the old regime still influencing the interim military government. BM
